The human spleen is an organ about the size of a loose fist that is located in the upper left corner of the abdomen. The spleen sits directly under the diaphragm, behind the stomach, and it borders nearby organs such as the left kidney and the top of the colon. The spleen functions as part of the body’s immune system, contributing to the production and storage of blood cells, but it is not a vital organ for human survival. It is normally protected by the rib cage, more specifically, the ninth, tenth and eleventh ribs, but in some occasions the spleen becomes enlarged and extends down into the abdomen leaving it partially unprotected and suceptible to injury.
The spleen’s size increases regularly during the digestion process, but it can also increase due to infections such as malaria or mono. If the spleen increases significantly, it can rupture and would need immediate medical attention, possibly surgery to control the bleeding. If not controlled, the blood loss from the rupture of the Spleen can result in death.
Functions of the Spleen:
The main function of the Spleen is to recognize and destroy red blood cells that are damaged or not working properly. As blood flows into the Spleen, damaged, fragile or abnormally shaped red blood cells are detected and destroyed by the Spleen. The Spleen produces and stores white blood cell lymphocytes to destroy and recycle the old red blood cells. The stored lymphocytes produce antibodies and assist in removing microbes and other debris from the blood supply.
The Spleen can also store blood that is made available in case of an emergency or trauma which causes blood loss. When blood loss occurs, the Spleen can then respond by releasing the stored blood back into the system.
Another important function of the Spleen is to help the body fight off infection by acting as a part of the immune system. When germs or bacteria are detected in the blood stream, the Spleen works along with lymph nodes to produce an army of cells to defend the body against the invader. The cells are made specifically for defending the body against what ever type of bacteria or germ was detected, and they are then released into the blood stream to attack and kill the invader.
The spleen basically works as a filter against foreign organisms that may infect the body, filters out the old red blood cells from the bloodstream and recycles them. It is the location where white blood cells trap organisms, and its absense leads to a predisposition to certain infections. Although the Spleen is an organ that is not vital for human survival, an injury or rupture of the Spleen can be fatal.
